Hope Church of the Brethren
Continuing the Work of Jesus Peacefully, Simply, TogetherA Word from the On-Site Annual Conference Manager
A Word from Joanna:
“I can’t believe that Annual Conference has come and gone. I remember when DeVos Place opened and we caucused with Joe McRoberts about whether or not Annual Conference could be held there! Then while I was serving on the Program and Arrangements Committee, I would not-so-casually mention Grand Rapids for site locations every year (or every meeting…). We even joked about having a denominational potluck in Grand Rapids. Ed Cheladyn even had it all figured out which districts would provide which foods for this imaginary potluck. I giggled to myself when I heard that the theme had to do with Extending the Table. Sounds like a potluck to me! The Michigan District even set up service projects at local soup kitchens for conference goers to volunteer. Again, potluck?”
‘Do or do not, there is no try.’ — Yoda
Joanna did more than try. She (along with John Willoughby, Terri Jones, and Stephanie Vanas) helped create a very successful annual conference. Everyone I talked to had much praise for the conference and the ease with which it seemed to unfold. Thanks to all who helped make this a memorable conference!
Joanna the last evening of conference, sitting on her LoveSac and hyperventilating?
Not everyone handled the stress like Joanna though. Here are Terri and Stephanie living it up (a fancy potluck).
We got our denominational name on the walkway outside of the DeVos Center.
The hospitality booth was one of the best ever. The LoveSacs were a HUGE hit by the younger generation; the rocking chairs got plenty of use too.
Roya and Joe claiming their LoveSac after the conference.
It’s That Time of Year Again – CROP WALK!
When Libby emailed me this year and asked if I’d put a picture on the CROP web site for our church, I groaned and said under my breath, “not CROP already.” My son overheard my lament and asked me why I’d sounded upset because of the walk. WHY INDEED? The kids enjoy the event and feel they are doing something worthwhile. I enjoy the time with friends walking the course (come join us if you’d like). And the church earns money for an organization that makes a difference around the world and in our local community. As Libby said when I confessed my initial lack of enthusiasm, it catches her that way at first too (she puts in WAY more effort than I do), but in just a few minutes she gets herself fired up and she’s raring to go!
It feels especially good to know we’ve walked for CROP when disasters like the earthquake in Japan strike. While others are trying to figure out how to get money there, we can know our money is already at work:
“Church World Service is providing emergency relief to some 25,000 people now living at 100 evacuation sites in northeastern Japan. We are focusing on areas where basic needs of food, water, sanitation, electricity and fuel are not being met.
We are working with a coalition of 32 Japanese agencies who know best where resources are needed.
Bringing people together to help communities in need. It’s been our mandate for 65 years, and it’s how we’re working in Japan.”
To support Hope Church of the Brethren’s team (or an individual on the team) click here.
Making a Difference
The youth group wants to interest you in a game of Kubb. While they are more than willing to play it with you, they don’t JUST want you play it, they want you to BUY it. This spring the youth (under the leadership of Ron France) will be making Kubb sets (see photos of the game and a YouTube video on how to play). Ron does the cutting. The class sands the wooden playing pieces and then paints them with fun motiffs. The money from the sets will go into the youth fund for future youth conferences.
Ron came up with the idea to have the youth begin making games and other items last fall. The youth Sunday school class needed something to keep them focused. Ron begins his class with a brief lesson, then continues to chat and interact with the kids as they make things. He found this has given the group purpose and loosened up the kids to talk.
Last fall the class made ladder golf games. Over the Christmas season they made evergreen swags. The money they earned from the swags (about $250) went to God’s Kitchen in Grand Rapids, while the other monies earned will either go to future youth conferences (such as NYC) or will be given to other charities.
For our out of town guests, place orders now and pick up your Kubb set at Annual Conference this June in Grand Rapids.
To learn more about Kubb press here
Ron enjoying the game Kubb.
Nothing Can Separate Us From God
Hope has felt some great loss over the last few months.
CALVIN SEESE
Cal Seese died November 15. He’d been suffering from a hardening of the lungs. The announcement of his disease hit the church hard, and his death came much too soon. He will be remembered for his quite and gentle spirit, his sense of humor, and his love for his family. We’ll miss him in the kitchen after potlucks!
Cal’s Obituary:
SEESE – Calvin Keith Seese, age 79, of Alto, passed away Monday, November 15, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis (Roxie) Seese; sister, Treva (Carl) Fox; brother, Harold Seese. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Fern (nee Rowley); daughters, Amy Seese, Cathy (Greg) Corliss; son, Paul Seese; grandchildren, Cassandra Tuttle, Dylan, Dalton, Drake and Dominic Seese; sister-in-law, Judy Seese. He served in the Army from 1954-1956 and was honored by the Clarksville Steam and Gas Association as farmer of the year in 1999. Cal will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, farmer, friend, and neighbor. Funeral Service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Church of the Brethren, 14275 – 92nd SE, Freeport. Pastor Douglas Reichenbach officiating. Visitations will be Friday 2 to 4:00 and 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Roth-Gerst Chapel, 305 N. Hudson, Lowell. Memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Ste 303, Chicago, IL 60642. Roth-Gerst
MELANIE BRADLEY
December 17 we unexpectedly lost Mel Bradley. She had been in an auto accident approximately 6 weeks ago. While her foot was still healing and she was expected to be in the wheel chair for another 2 months, she was doing well and her spirits were good. Doctors think her death was caused by a blood clot. While Melanie was relatively new to Hope, she will be missed for her zeal, her laughter, her music and her leadership.
Mel’s Obituary:
KEEP THE FAMILIES OF CAL AND MEL IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
Habitat Quilt
Our quilters have been busy. Charleen, Shirley, Jean, Violet, Marge, Judy, Connie, Paulette, Doris and Jeannie meet every Wednesday to quilt and chat. The quilt pictured above is their 76th quilt – the 23rd “Habitat Quilt.” The quilters have raised over $22,000 for Habitat over the years. They have also donated to other charities. You’ve got to admit…. this would look good on your bed!
So… the Habitat Quilt is done and on display at Sisters’ Fabrics in Hastings. It will also be displayed at Hastings Summer Fest and Freeport Fun Days. The quilt is being raffled away. Raffle tickets cost $2 each or three for $5. All the money from ticket sales goes to Habitat for Humanity of Barry County and Lake Odessa. You can purchase them at church (see Marge), or possibly at the places it is displayed. The drawing will be held at 7 p.m. on October 16
The “Cancelled” Camp Fire
The camp fire for July 28 was supposedly “cancelled.” Man, we should cancel events more often! Eleven folks showed up. That’s one of the biggest attendances this summer! It may have been cancelled, but those who showed up anyway had loads of fun.
Ken showed up. The event planner said no one signed up to come (or those that did had last minute plan changes) so she cancelled the event.
The Stern-Spencer family brought seven hot dogs. They’d decided to come even though the event was technically cancelled because they’d invited some friends. But seven hot dogs weren’t going to feed eleven folks (unless the loaves and fish miracle happened at Hope). The pastor’s wife sent over two more hot dogs and some buns. Still not enough. Luckily Ken came to the rescue.
Ken cooking hot dogs. He had to run back to his house to get them. Miracles do happen. We had enough to feed the group and had a fun evening.
These folks are renegades. Showing up when they weren’t supposed to!
What fun!
Where’s Neil?
My favorite post this summer just might be, “where’s Neil” (based on Where’s Waldo). While it might not be hard to find him in these pictures (Click here to see where he is and who’s got him), his folks sometimes have trouble keeping up with who he’s been passed to at church. If in doubt… hunt for Roy!
Fellowship Times Through the Summer
Folks from Hope like fellowship time. This summer, thanks to Mel, we’re planning several times to get together and enjoy each other. Sundays during the summer there will be no Sunday School, but there will always be some type of fellowship time immediately following the service – game days, potlucks (sometimes with Council Meeting), graduation parties, etc.
The new outdoor game sensation, Kubb.
To see how to play, click on this YouTube site.
Joe and Mel teach Bonhanza (the Bean Game).
In addition, Mel is planning Wonderful Wednesdays every two weeks or so. The first campfire has come and gone. The next is planned for June 30. BE THERE!
Eric relaxing at the Camp Fire.
Ron playing Kubb with the kids.
The end of the summer will feature a camp out on Saturday and church picnic on Sunday. Check the calendar for days and times.
Hope’s Merry Month of May Festival of Arts
On May 16, Hope Church of the Brethren showed her talent. During the service Bethany and Becky Padgett shared their musical talent (always a treat!).
Betsy Grant played her clarinet.
After the service, Tristen’s string quartet played two numbers. Tom Davenport showed a short film he wrote, directed and produced entitled “The Teacher from Mordor” (“you shall NOT PASS!”).
Other artistic expressions included a cello solo; story telling; singing; piano playing; a butterfly collection; guitar solo; pies; dipped chocolate; food; paintings; quilts; embroidery; and more. See the photo gallery for more photos of the event (click here).
Young Quartet for Merry Month of May Celebration
For the Merry Month of May special arts Sunday, the nurture commission is asking folks to bring their artistic endeavors to the church to share (quilts, bug collections, photos, paintings, written work, etc.). The event will take place after the worship service on May 16, and will be followed by a potluck (a chance to showcase culinary artistic endeavors). Booked early for the event was the East Grand Rapids String Quartet. Unfortunately, they didn’t start practicing for this event until their mothers got strict (late last week). Hopefully they will sound good enough to give a promising glimpse of what they could sound like in the future (with way more practice and experience!). Tristen is excited that by bringing the quartet, he will get three chances at the “prize” the nurture commission is going to raffle off. He challenges others from Hope to bring more guests than him!
